Trump pleads not guilty on Jan. 6 charges, calls it 'sad day for America’
Trump is accused of attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to all counts after being charged in connection with his alleged attempts to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election.
The new 45-page federal indictment, unsealed Tuesday, accuses Trump of four felony counts: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.
It's the third time that Trump has been indicted on criminal charges. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges in the two other cases, decrying the investigations as political witch hunts. He continues to insist that the 2020 vote was rigged and, speaking to ABC News on Tuesday, described the latest charges as a "pile-on" and "election interference."
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Trump leaves Bedminster club
Former President Donald Trump has left his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club to travel to his court appearance in Washington, D.C.
Trump's motorcade will take him to the Newark Liberty International Airport where the former president will board his own plane to fly to D.C.
Trump plays golf hours before court appearance
Former President Donald Trump played golf in New Jersey on Thursday, hours before heading to court in Washington, D.C., sources told ABC News.
The former president also had several conversations with his staff about his 2024 campaign, sources said.
Supporters, protesters display signs outside court
A handful of supporters and protesters, law enforcement from multiple agencies and dozens of press cameras and satellite trucks are waiting outside the E. Barrett Prettyman federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., for former President Donald Trump.
In the mix of the officers and dozens of cameras is a small group of Trump supporters carrying campaign flags saying "Trump for President 2024" and "Finish The Wall."
Some protesters were seen holding signs reading “clear and present danger" and "lock him up."
No large protests have formed outside, but officials have been passing out emergency number cards to contracted security guards to report anything suspicious.
-ABC News' Soorin Kim, Katherine Faulders, Laura Romero and Tia Humphries
Campaign staff to travel with Trump to DC
Former President Donald Trump is expected to travel to Washington, D.C., Thursday on his personal plane, accompanied by campaign staff and a handful of attorneys including John Lauro, Todd Blanche, Boris Epshteyn and Alina Habba, sources told ABC News.
At court, Trump will sit at the defense table with Lauro and Blanche. A plea of not guilty is expected to be entered, ABC News has learned.
-ABC News' John Santucci, Olivia Rubin, Katherine Faulders and Will Steakin
Special prosecutor asks for a speedy trial while Trump legal team objects
Special prosecutor Tom Windom approached the bench and requested a speedy trial.
"This case will benefit from normal order including a speedy trial," Windom said.
But the defense said it needs ample opportunity to review a massive amount of evidence to be entered by the government.
Defense attorney John Lauro told the judge they need an "understanding" from the government about the "magnitude of discovery," including electronic data and documents.
The judge responded to Windom by saying the court would ensure a "fair trial" without elaborating.
"There will be a fair process and a fair trial in this court," the judge said. "I am certain of that."
Still, Lauro continued to raise issues, saying of special counsel Jack Smith: "They've had 3 1/2 years to investigate this matter, and also there's a number of agents and lawyers that are assisting the government in this proceeding, and all we would ask is the opportunity to fairly defend our client, but in order to do that we're going to need a little time."
The judge told Lauro to raise any concerns with the district judge overseeing the trial.
-ABC News' Soorin Kim and Mike Levine